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Optical properties of photochromic fluorinated indolylfulgides

2001; Elsevier BV; Volume: 144; Issue: 2-3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s1010-6030(01)00550-0

1873-2666

Mason A. Wolak, Nathan B. Gillespie, Craig J. Thomas, Robert R. Birge, Watson J. Lees,

Photoreceptor and optogenetics research

Fluorinated indolylfulgides are a promising class of photochromic organic compounds for optical memory and switches. Absorption spectra, quantum yields, thermal stabilities, and photochemical fatigue resistances have been measured for a series of fluorinated indolylfulgides. The cyclizable form of the heptafluoropropyl-substituted 1,2-dimethylindolylfulgide displays the longest absorbance maxima yet reported for the cyclizable form of a fulgide. Photochemical durability was quantified in both solvent and polymer for the first time, with the trifluoromethyl derivative undergoing more than 2500 photochemical cycles before degrading by 20% in either environment. In addition, the thermal stability of the cyclizable form has been examined for the first time. Although each fulgide showed outstanding resistance to thermal stress in the C-form, the cyclizable form degraded rapidly at 80°C. These studies highlight the many advantageous properties associated with fluorination and identify areas for future improvements.